In the latest monthly column, Destination Helensburgh shares the many events and celebrations filling the festive season.

As the days of ‘mist and mellow fruitfulness’ turn to frost and forecasts for snow, Helensburgh and Lomond is settling into its winter programme of talks, concerts and activities.

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society and The Arts Society (LADFAS) monthly lecture programmes have commenced with wonderful and varied talks.

Helensburgh Music Society’s winter season is underway, as are the Sunday at Seven Concerts in Helensburgh Parish Church and the Sandwich Series in Rhu Church.

Cove and Kilcreggan Literary Society’s fortnightly lectures, Helensburgh Heritage Trust and the North Clyde Archaeological Society also have fascinating monthly talks over the winter.

November has seen two of Helensburgh’s big annual events with the fantastic fireworks display organised by Helensburgh HEART and Helensburgh Savoy’s annual show with a superb sell out performance of Beauty and the Beast to celebrate their 40th anniversary.

On the weekend of November 23-24 the annual Cove and Kilcreggan Book Festival has a stellar line-up as usual with participants including Liz Lochhead.

The real beginning of the Christmas Season is the annual Christmas Lights Switch On event in Colquhoun Square on Saturday, November 23.

Helensburgh Festive Lighting Trust work hard all year round to bring us such a fantastic display to brighten up the darkest days of the year with the trees in Colquhoun Square staying illuminated until the end of March.

As ever there is a full programme of events and entertainment throughout the day with Santa arriving as darkness falls to help press the magic button.

The Dorian Choir are hosting Coffee and Carols at the United Reformed Church in the afternoon and Hermitage Academy is also holding its Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 23, another great place to find unique Christmas gifts. Also, both Saturday 23 and 30th are Helensburgh Festive Shopping Saturdays.

The following weekend sees Rhu and Shandon Community Council’s Christmas Lights Switch On and party on Rhu Green on Friday, November 29, and on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 Helensburgh Winter Festival takes over Colquhoun Square with the super Christmas Market and entertainment over the whole weekend including Helensburgh HEART’S Santa Dash on Saturday at 12 noon.

Helensburgh and Lomond Artisans Christmas Market will be at Helensburgh Parish Church and the Boozy Brunch is on at the Civic Centre on the 30th.

The real Santa will be in his grotto at the Submarine Centre from December 1 and Mrs Claus will be in residence at The Hill House from December 7 with breakfast and tea with Santa events throughout the district during December.

Another fixture of the local calendar is the annual Helensburgh Theatre Arts pantomime, still going strong after 90-odd years, with Sleeping Beauty running at the Victoria Halls December 5-8.

The Three Villages pantomime in Arrochar is Pinocchio on December 21.

There are numerous carol concerts and Christmas-themed events throughout December, Luss Advent Market makes a welcome return, as does the annual Festive Fair The Three Villages Hall in Arrochar, both on Sunday, December 1.

Cameron House is hosting its Christmas Gift Fair on November 23-24 and Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is on December 7–8 with the Castle Caravan Park in Rosneath holding its Christmas Fair on December 7 and Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu hosting a family day and Christmas Fair on December 8.

Look out for the Nativity in the Square on December 7 and enjoy the festive shop window displays - don’t forget to vote for your favourites between November 23 and December 15 on the Winter Festival website.

Keep an eye on the Destination Helensburgh What’s On page for all event details and look out for our Thursday round-up of events for the week ahead on Facebook.

As well as all these amazing local events, Helensburgh has a fantastic array of independent shops and restaurants, and gifts for all the family can be found in the town.

Keep an eye on the Destination Helensburgh socials over the next couple of weeks to see just how many great local businesses we have in the town and remember to #ShopLocal.